United They Zag!

Regardless of whether you're able to attend our special weekend or not, we are incredibly grateful to have you in our lives. At this stage, it's especially moving to reflect on the people we want to invite to be present for such a unique moment. Above all, we would like to thank you for being an integral part of our lives, our journey, and this significant point in time for us. Now, this website is telling us to add the story of how we met here. Really, it just a boring little encounter.

As the moon still lingered in the sky, John and Deanna embarked on separate journeys from their homes at 5 am on November 3, 2018. Their paths would intertwine on the Pacific Crest Trail, where they journeyed together for 11 unforgettable miles, partaking in a beautiful church hike near the breathtaking hills of Mt Laguna, steeped in mystery, courage and enchantment.

They did both leave their homes for a church hike they each signed up for. Hmmm, now that we think of it, only one of them signed up, and the other one just showed up. One of them trained, while the other woke up the day before and said "I think I'll go to that." One of them was experiencing an emotional, spiritual moment by attending this hike; the other woke up the day before and said, "I think I'll go to that." (Did we mention that?) We’ll let you guess who is who!

Wellll, they met at a picnic table at the Pioneer Mail Trailhead of the PCT, where church members were to sign in. She saw him and thought, “Hmm, why is that dude dressed so formally in a collared shirt to hike? I understand this hiking group is made up of mostly old men. He must be one.” [Hahaha, sorry Columbia. She has since been schooled, and now proudly wears a collared hiking shirt or two.] He saw her and thought, “New face! New person I don’t know!! Let me nonchalantly share the clipboard to 'help' her to sign in. Then I will know her name! She'll never know my intentions!”

Speaking of unforgettable, one of them has kind of a weird time with their memory. He’d already forgotten her name from the clipboard by the time the hike started, and she was slipping further behind his group. Come to find out, she was slipping behind so as not to be spotted taking the obligatory "PCT selfie." He helped with that by saying "OH HEY! You can join us, you know?" 🙄🤦‍♀️ He was racking his brain to remember her name. Since that wasn’t working (are we surprised?), he worked hard to get something into the conversation where he would hear it again until, finally, it was spoken. Saved! They DID partake in a beautiful church hike near the breathtaking hills of Mt Laguna. Wellll... It was November. And it was pretty dusty and dry. But beautiful nonetheless!

The plot thickens as they approach the pickup cars, ready to embark on a journey of culinary pie delights in Julian. Alas, fate had other plans, for Deanna was abruptly pulled back as the leaders discovered one less space in the vehicle they thought was their destiny. As John's eyes scanned the barren landscape, the realization dawned upon him like a bolt of lightning that the maiden was not ensconced in the carriage. With haste, he retraced his steps and summoned the courage to bid her adieu with a parting phrase, "well... I just wanted to say it was nice meeting you and hiking today." With a heart burdened by melancholy, he lingered at their initial meeting site, yearning for the sight of her humble carriage. Yet, it never graced the horizon. That, or the alluring melody of apple pies may have tempted him astray. But as she pondered the meaning of the elusive Julian Pie, her hopes of joining the apple festivities were dashed. Because as the sun traversed the skies, John and Peter's ceaseless 11-mile chatter revolved around one mystical creation - the Julian Pie. Yet, their words merely danced around the edges of the secret location where this awe-inspiring delight could be savored, leaving us mere mortals tantalized but bereft of guidance (and not wanting to roam around Julian yelling "John?! Peter?! Are those even your real names?!") And so, our tale ends here, leaving us to ponder the mysteries of the savory delicacy and the journey that might have been.

Also known as “Meh! If it was meant to be, God will make it happen.” Without a backward glance, she drove out of town, knowing where her focus should be. This weekend was actually dedicated to honor her father and grandmother, who had just recently passed on, with offerings of flowers during All Saints Day at the very church that nurtured her faith as a child. It was the end of an era. But isn't an ending a beginning? As the sun bade farewell to the day, a spark of daring flickered within her. Who said one couldn't seek solace in the church twice in a single day? After all, what was life without a little temptation? So she set her course homeward, towards her first Sunday night service. Her steps, guided by the hope of catching a glimpse of John, the esteemed Usher. The day previous, Peter, his steadfast companion and fellow Usher, had promised an extension of the divine melody of worship (in a quick-witted wing-man-esque fashion!)

As he and his trusty companion stood guard at the church gates, his heart leapt with joy at the sight of her approaching. A warm embrace and pleasantries exchanged, his eyes then rested on her face as he queried, "Pray tell, are you not Deanna?" "Indeed, I am," she replied, her heart pounding with anticipation. It was then that she realized, with a sudden rush of self-consciousness, that the previous day she had been bare-faced with hair tied back, doning a running cap. But tonight was different. Her beauty shone, with flowing hair and delicate makeup, and her attire a masterful dance of heightened boots and fitted jeans. "Yes, fair maiden, I knew it was you," he declared, leaving her speechless. From that day forward, she never sat alone in church again. The magic of that moment [and months (years?) of persistence] lingered, casting a spell of connection and enchantment upon them both.

Enchantment, 11 miles, near-miss moments, and LOTS of conversation later, TWO of them started a new journey. And thus, the journey that began with a chance encounter on a trail, paved the way for a new path, a path of shared destiny. [Thanks AI! GREAT closer!]